Bengaluru: Within a month of the state govt introducing digital counselling-based transfers for the stamps and registration department, the Karnataka State Stamps and Registration Department Officials’ Association has urged the govt to defer its implementation by a year, citing practical difficulties in carrying out the exercise during the ongoing academic year.The state govt notified the Karnataka Civil Services (Counselling-based Transfers in the Stamps and Registration Department) Rules, 2026 on May 27 with the objective of bringing greater transparency to the transfer process and curbing lobbying, bribery and undue influence in securing lucrative postings, particularly in Bengaluru.Before finalising the rules, the govt examined a seven-page representation submitted by the association in response to the draft notification issued on April 27. Based on its suggestions, the govt provided exemptions for office-bearers of recognised govt employees’ associations during their tenure, employees with less than one year of service remaining before retirement, and approved a separate seniority list for Senior Sub-Registrars and Sub-Registrars.However, in a fresh representation submitted to the govt last week, the association sought postponement of the new transfer system by one year. While reiterating its support for the digital counselling-based transfer policy, it said the timeline prescribed under the rules could not be adhered to as the counselling process had not commenced despite the April-June schedule.According to the association, the exercise involves preparation of vacancy lists, inviting options from officials, verification of eligibility and completion of other administrative formalities, making it difficult to complete the process within the current transfer window. It also pointed out that the children of many department officials have already secured admissions to schools and colleges for the current academic year. Transfers at this stage, it said, would force employees to relocate and seek fresh admissions for their children, causing avoidable hardship.The association has requested the govt to continue transfers under the existing general transfer policy for the current year. Implement the digital counselling-based system from the next financial year so that it can be conducted in a planned and time-bound manner.However, several Sub-Registrars opposed the demand for deferment, arguing that postponing the system would allow influential officials to continue securing postings in high-revenue sub-registrar offices, particularly in Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural districts.“The new transfer system will benefit honest officials and staff by ensuring transparency and fairness. The govt should implement it without delay,” a Sub-Registrar said.
